Scholarships and funding

Film School Scholarships, Assistantships and Funding

Funding for film degrees ranges from full tuition-and-stipend packages (mostly in research doctorates and a few MFAs) to competitive scholarships, assistantships and production grants. We separate guaranteed funding, competitive awards, tuition-only support and grants, and show every claim with its official source. How we classify funding

Programs by verified funding classification

Classification	What it means	Programs
Fully funded — guaranteed for all admitted students	The program states that every admitted student receives tuition coverage and a stipend for the normal length of the program.	5
Fully funded — subject to published conditions	Tuition coverage and a stipend are offered to all admitted students, subject to conditions the program publishes (for example satisfactory progress).	7
Competitive full-funding awards	Full funding (tuition and stipend) is available to selected students only. Admission does not guarantee it.	0
Tuition coverage only	Tuition is waived or remitted, but no stipend is published. Tuition remission alone is not a living-support package.	0
Partial funding	Some scholarships, assistantships or awards exist for some students; full funding is not stated.	63
Funding not verified	We have not verified an official funding policy for this program. That does not mean funding is unavailable.	109

Fully funded film programs

Fully funded — guaranteed for all admitted students

Harvard University
PhD · PhD in Film and Visual Studies
Fully funded (all admitted)Stipend amount not published
Northwestern University
MFA · MFA in Documentary Media
Fully funded (all admitted)Stipend amount not publishedPolicy year Beginning with the c
Northwestern University
MFA · MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage
Fully funded (all admitted)Stipend amount not published
New York University
PhD · PhD in Cinema Studies
Fully funded (all admitted)Stipend amount not published
Northwestern University
PhD · PhD in Screen Cultures
Fully funded (all admitted)Stipend amount not published

Fully funded — subject to published conditions

University of California-Berkeley
PhD · PhD in Film & Media
Fully funded (conditions apply)Stipend amount not published
University of California-Santa Barbara
PhD · PhD in Film and Media Studies
Fully funded (conditions apply)Stipend amount not published
University of Chicago
PhD · PhD in Cinema and Media Studies
Fully funded (conditions apply)$37,000 stipend (year)Policy year Autumn 2023 matricul
University of Iowa
MFA · MFA in Film and Video Production
Fully funded (conditions apply)Stipend amount not published
University of Iowa
MA · MA in Film Studies
Fully funded (conditions apply)Stipend amount not published
University of Iowa
PhD · PhD in Film Studies
Fully funded (conditions apply)Stipend amount not published
The University of Texas at Austin
PhD · PhD in Radio-Television-Film, Media Studies concentration
Fully funded (conditions apply)Stipend amount not published

Named scholarships, assistantships and production grants

Listed as each school publishes them. Unless a page says otherwise, these awards are competitive and do not go to every admitted student.

Production grants

Leo Freedman First Cut Fellowship in Film Grant — Chapman University, Film Production (MFA)$500-$3,000Eligibility: Graduate and undergraduate filmmakers, for unusual production-specific thesis expenses
Innovative Filmmakers Challenge — Chapman University, Film Production (MFA)$2,500 to $15,000Eligibility: Graduate and undergraduate projects using virtual production and/or artificial intelligence
Disney Storytellers Project Fund — Howard University, Master of Fine Arts in FilmStipends of $25,000 and more for storytelling-focused projectsEligibility: Selected student cohorts from the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and the Cathy Hughes School of Communications
Center for Documentary Research and Practice support — Indiana University-Bloomington, MS in Media — Documentary/Nonfiction ProductionEligibility: Documentary projects; terms not published on the program page
The Studio (Park School media incubator) — Ithaca College, Film (B.F.A.)Not statedEligibility: Collaborative student projects judged likely to be marketable; includes the annual 'Pitch it to Produce It' event
The Studio (Park School media incubator) — Ithaca College, Writing for Film, Television, & Emerging Media (B.F.A.)Not statedEligibility: Collaborative student projects judged likely to be marketable; includes the annual 'Pitch it to Produce It' event
Thesis production grant — Northwestern University, MFA in Documentary Media$5,000Eligibility: All MFA Documentary Media students, between first and second years
Production grant — Northwestern University, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage$5,000Eligibility: MFA students, second year
Betty Thomas Filmmaking Award — Ohio University, MFA in FilmEligibility: Annual award supporting the thesis project of a female filmmaker in the Film Division.
Student-led film funding — Regent University, MFA in Film & Television ProductionNot statedEligibility: Select student-led films; competitive, examines quality and redemptive storytelling
Barbara Hammer Award — San Francisco State University, Master of Fine Arts in Cinema$1000Eligibility: SF State undergraduate and graduate students; one applicant, toward completion of an LGBTQ-themed film.
Barbara Hammer Award — San Francisco State University, Bachelor of Arts in Cinema$1000Eligibility: SF State undergraduate and graduate students; toward completion of an LGBTQ-themed film.
Jim Goldner Scholarship — San Francisco State University, Bachelor of Arts in CinemaEligibility: Junior- or senior-level undergraduate completing a project.
Bryan Buckley Film Production Award — Syracuse University, Film, MFAEligibility: Film students
VPA Student Grant Program, SOURCE Awards, Bryan Buckley Film Production Award — Syracuse University, Film, BFAEligibility: Film students
Thesis production funding — University of Miami, Documentary, M.F.A.Not statedEligibility: Documentary MFA students; no separate application required.
Moody Innovation Award — The University of Texas at Austin, MFA in Film and Media ProductionEligibility: MFA students, for pre-thesis and thesis films.
Carole Fielding Student Grant — Wake Forest University, MFA in Documentary FilmMore than $4,000 awarded each year across five categoriesEligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students in film and video; competitive.
Filmed in NC: Cucalorus Indie Filmmakers Fund — Wake Forest University, MFA in Documentary Film$500 to $3,000 per projectEligibility: North Carolina residents or full-time students at North Carolina colleges living in NC.
Carole Fielding Student Grant — Wake Forest University, BA in Critical and Creative Media — Film Studies concentrationMore than $4,000 awarded each year across five categoriesEligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students in film and video; competitive.
Department completion grants — California State University-Northridge, BA in Cinema and Television ArtsEligibility: Film production students finishing films (digital intermediates, DCPs, release prints)
Women of Chapman Endowed Student Filmmaker Award — Chapman University, Film and Television Production (BFA)Eligibility: Undergraduate narrative filmmakers, for senior thesis production costs
Leo Freedman First Cut Fellowship in Film Grant — Chapman University, Film and Television Production (BFA)$500-$3,000Eligibility: Graduate and undergraduate filmmakers, for unusual production-specific thesis expenses
Disney Storytellers Project Fund — Howard University, Bachelor of Arts in Media, Journalism and Film — Television & Film ProductionStipends of $25,000 and more for storytelling-focused projectsEligibility: Selected student cohorts from the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and the Cathy Hughes School of Communications
Filmmaking grants for FMS majors and minors — Johns Hopkins University, BA in Film and Media StudiesEligibility: Film and Media Studies majors and minors

Fellowships

UCSB recruitment fellowships — University of California-Santa Barbara, PhD in Film and Media StudiesEligibility: Nominated by the department's Graduate Admissions Committee; no self-nomination
Iowa Arts Fellowship — University of Iowa, MFA in Film and Video ProductionOne year of full funding without teachingEligibility: By faculty nomination, once during the three years.
Center for Communication, Culture, and Change Fellowship — University of Miami, Motion Pictures, M.F.A.$2,500 stipend plus one semester of release timeEligibility: Current Ph.D. or M.F.A. students with a global, transnational, cross-cultural or diasporic focus.
College of Fine Arts Graduate Research Excellence Fellowship — University of Utah, MFA in Film & Media ArtsEligibility: Competitive; nominated by the department
Corrigan Fellowship — New York University, PhD in Cinema StudiesFull tuition and fees, health insurance, nine-month stipend, plus $1,000 and $2,000 one-time grantsEligibility: All Cinema Studies PhD students
UT Screenwriting Fellowship — The University of Texas at Austin, MFA in Screenwriting$5000 per yearEligibility: Students admitted to the MFA in Screenwriting; typically two years.

Scholarships

AFI Scholarship — American Film Institute Conservatory, MFA in CinematographyAmounts vary; may partially cover tuition and feesEligibility: Incoming domestic and international Fellows; need and merit
AFI Scholarship — American Film Institute Conservatory, MFA in DirectingAmounts vary; may partially cover tuition and feesEligibility: Incoming domestic and international Fellows; need and merit
AFI Scholarship — American Film Institute Conservatory, MFA in EditingAmounts vary; may partially cover tuition and feesEligibility: Incoming domestic and international Fellows; need and merit
AFI Scholarship — American Film Institute Conservatory, MFA in ProducingAmounts vary; may partially cover tuition and feesEligibility: Incoming domestic and international Fellows; need and merit
AFI Scholarship — American Film Institute Conservatory, MFA in ScreenwritingAmounts vary; may partially cover tuition and feesEligibility: Incoming domestic and international Fellows; need and merit
Dean's scholarship — Boston University, MFA in Screenwriting30%–40% tuition scholarship (between $20,000–$28,000)Eligibility: High-achieving applicants; automatic consideration.
Merit scholarships — California Institute of the Arts, MFA Film and VideoVaries by school and programEligibility: All admitted students are considered
DePaul Cinema Studios Full-Tuition Academic Scholarship — DePaul University, MFA in Film & Television DirectingFull tuition for the entire programEligibility: One student per eligible MFA program; complete application by December 15
DePaul Cinema Studios Full-Tuition Academic Scholarship — DePaul University, MFA in ScreenwritingFull tuition for the entire programEligibility: One student per eligible MFA program; complete application by December 15
DePaul Cinema Studios Full-Tuition Academic Scholarship — DePaul University, MFA in Creative ProducingFull tuition for the entire programEligibility: One student per eligible MFA program; complete application by December 15
Emerson Community Scholarships — Emerson College, Film and Media Art MFANot higher than the cost of tuitionEligibility: New graduate applicants
Talent Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, MFA in FilmmakingEligibility: Applicants to certificate, AFA, BFA, MA and MFA programs; based on audition or creative portfolio.
Need Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, MFA in FilmmakingEligibility: Applicants with financial need to long-term programs.
Talent Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, MFA in CinematographyEligibility: Applicants to certificate, AFA, BFA, MA and MFA programs; based on audition or creative portfolio.
Need Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, MFA in CinematographyEligibility: Applicants with financial need to long-term programs.
Talent Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, MFA in ScreenwritingEligibility: Applicants to certificate, AFA, BFA, MA and MFA programs; based on audition or creative portfolio.
Need Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, MFA in ScreenwritingEligibility: Applicants with financial need to long-term programs.
Talent Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, MFA in ProducingEligibility: Applicants to certificate, AFA, BFA, MA and MFA programs; based on audition or creative portfolio.
Need Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, MFA in ProducingEligibility: Applicants with financial need to long-term programs.
Graduate Film fellowships and scholarships — New York University, MFA in Film and Television (Graduate Film)Partial tuitionEligibility: Admitted students who request consideration; need, artistic excellence and professional promise
Jennifer Hammett Endowed Scholarship — San Francisco State University, Master of Fine Arts in Cinema$1000Eligibility: Graduate students who have demonstrated teaching excellence as a GA or GTA; by nomination.
Robin Eickman Cinema Student Scholarship — San Francisco State University, Master of Fine Arts in CinemaEligibility: Graduate and senior-level undergraduate Cinema majors.
Jennifer Hammett Endowed Scholarship — San Francisco State University, Master of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies$1000Eligibility: Graduate students who have demonstrated teaching excellence as a GA or GTA; by nomination.
MPS Film Directing Department Scholarships — School of Visual Arts, MPS Film DirectingEligibility: All accepted students may apply; merit-based; support tuition and thesis projects.
Jan Marino Scholarship — Stephens College, Master of Fine Arts in TV & ScreenwritingEligibility: Applicants accepted and deposited by March 31.
SCA scholarships — University of Southern California, MFA in Film & Television Production$1,000 to $25,000Eligibility: Merit, financial need, or both; domestic and international students.
SCA scholarships — University of Southern California, MFA in Writing for Screen & Television$1,000 to $25,000Eligibility: Merit, financial need, or both; domestic and international students.
RTF Department Scholarships — The University of Texas at Austin, MFA in Film and Media ProductionEligibility: MFA Production and Screenwriting students.
Dodge Talent Scholarships — Chapman University, Film and Television Production (BFA)$2,000-$5,000 per year for four yearsEligibility: First-year applicants, based on the Creative Supplement; not available to transfer students
Dodge Talent Scholarships — Chapman University, Writing for Film and Television (BFA)$2,000-$5,000 per year for four yearsEligibility: First-year applicants, based on the Creative Supplement; not available to transfer students
Full Sail Bound Scholarship — Full Sail University, Film Bachelor of ScienceUp to $15,000Eligibility: Qualified campus students
Creative Minds Scholarship — Full Sail University, Film Bachelor of ScienceUp to $40,000Eligibility: Eligible high school seniors starting a campus bachelor's program in Fall 2027
Talent Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, BFA in FilmmakingEligibility: Applicants to certificate, AFA, BFA, MA and MFA programs; based on audition or creative portfolio.
Need Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, BFA in FilmmakingEligibility: Applicants with financial need to long-term programs.
Merit Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, BFA in FilmmakingEligibility: Qualified BFA candidates.
Talent Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, BFA in ScreenwritingEligibility: Applicants to certificate, AFA, BFA, MA and MFA programs; based on audition or creative portfolio.
Need Based Scholarship — New York Film Academy, BFA in ScreenwritingEligibility: Applicants with financial need to long-term programs.
Freedom Scholarship — Regent University, BFA in Film & Television$10,000Eligibility: On-campus incoming freshmen

Grants

I. Hollis Parry/Ann Billman Fine Arts Award — Ohio University, MFA in FilmEligibility: Graduate students; may be used for travel, on-location shoots or equipment.
Student Enhancement Awards — Ohio University, MFA in FilmUp to $6,000Eligibility: Competitive; undergraduate, graduate and medical student research and creative activity.
Graduate Research Travel Grant — University of California-Berkeley, PhD in Film & MediaEligibility: Travel to archives, film festivals, collections or other research sites
Undergraduate Research and Creative Awards — University of California-Santa Barbara, BA in Film and Media StudiesEligibility: College of Letters and Science awards for independent research or production projects supervised by faculty
Graduate College and university grants — University of Iowa, MFA in Film and Video ProductionEligibility: Summer MFA Fellowship, Student Impact Grant, travel and small arts grants, by application or nomination.
Creative Arts Fellowship — University of Pittsburgh, Film and Media Studies, BA$4,000Eligibility: Open to all majors; film projects welcome.
Student Enhancement Awards — Ohio University, BFA in FilmUp to $6,000Eligibility: Competitive; includes undergraduate creative activities.

Prizes

Guy Gallo Memorial Award in Screenwriting — Columbia University in the City of New York, Major in Film & Media StudiesEligibility: Department prize
Lichtenstein-Reeves Prize — Stony Brook University, MFA in Film$1,000, applied toward tuitionEligibility: Full-time fall applicants; a handful awarded
Lichtenstein-Reeves Prize — Stony Brook University, MFA in TV Writing$1,000, applied toward tuitionEligibility: Full-time fall applicants; a handful awarded

Federal aid and cost of attendance

For federal loans and grants, start with the FAFSA and each school's financial aid office. A school's official cost of attendance may include an allowance for program supplies or equipment; that allowance is not the same as a production budget. Film Scholarships and Assistantships · Understanding Film Production Costs